Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2017-893

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result	Action Details	Meeting Details	Captions
11/8/2017	60085	City Council	Adopted		Action details	Meeting details	Not available
11/8/2017		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)		Action details	Meeting details	Not available

Resolution Honoring Dr. David C. Penn

WHEREAS, Dr. David C. Penn will celebrate his 50 anniversary in the ministry on October 1, 2017; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of this auspicious occasion by the Honorable Emma Mitts, Alderman of the 37^th Ward; and

WHEREAS, David C. Penn was the child of the late Alice Edmonia Kennedy Penn and Robert Penn; and

WHEREAS, David was baptized by his uncle, the late Levi Kennedy, Jr., at the Michigan Avenue Church of Christ, now Sheldon Heights Church of Christ, in Chicago, Illinois. In October, 1967, David Penn gave his first sermon at the age of fifteen at the Far West Church of Christ under the tutelage of the late Evangelist Mark Myles, Sr. He was ordained to the ministry by the late Evangelist Samuel L. Jordan. Since 1984, he has honorably served at the Robbins Church of Christ in Robbins, Illinois, where he is the Senior Minister; and

WHEREAS, David is married to the former Brenda J. Martin. They have two successful daughters, Dortricia and Danielle. They are also blessed with two granddaughters, Rian Danielle Willingham and Kendall Dior Dorsey; and

WHEREAS, Dr. David C. Penn is a noted academic. He is a graduate of Rochester College, City University of Seattle, University of Nebraska, University of Missouri, St. Xavier University, Abilene Christian University, Concordia University, California Coast University, International Theological Seminary, Northwestern Theological Seminary and Colorado Theological Seminary. His degrees include an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Education, Master of Arts (Educational Administration and History), Graduate Certificate in Civics and Democracy (Harvard University), Master of Religious Education, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Specialist Degree and a Graduate Certificate in School Superintendency. He did post-graduate study at the University of South Africa. He was granted a Doctor of Divinity by St. Timothy Theological Institute and a Doctor of Laws by United Theological Seminary. He presently is a Professor of History at Joliet Junior College and Professor of Biblical Studies and Urban Ministry for Metropolitan Christian University in Louisville, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Dr. David C. Penn is Vice-Chairman and Secretary for the Churches of Christ National Lectureship Executive Committee, member of the Executive Board of Directors and Academic Dean for the School of Religious Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas, member of the Board of Regents for Metropolitan Christian University in Louisville, Kentucky, member of the Board of Directors and Director of Biblical Accountability for the National Association of Private Theological Institutions, and ex-Chairman of the Midwest Lectureship; and

WHEREAS, Dr. David C. Penn is co-founder and former Chairman of the Midwest Youth Conference, co-founder of the National Crusade for Christ, founder of the Windy City Lectureship, founder of Imani Counseling Services, Inc., founder of the Institute of Biblical Studies (Chicago), and Editorial Consultant for the Christian Courier newspaper. Dr. Penn has

conducted meetings, seminars and workshops in more than thirty states. He was the keynote speaker at the annual Illinois Council for the Social Studies Fall State Conference; and

WHEREAS, Dr. David C. Penn is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Epsilon Tau, Phi Beta Delta and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Societies in Education. He is the former Vice-President of the Phi Alpha Theta Pi Nu Chapter of the University of Nebraska. He is also a member of the Nancy Lyman Roelkner Scholarship Committee of the American Historical Society, National Alliance of Black School Educators, National Council for the Social Studies, Illinois Council for the Social Studies, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the African Studies Association; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Penn is recognized by the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists, National Board of Christian Clinical Therapists, National Board of Christian Professional and Pastoral Counselors and the National Christian Counselors Association. He also is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Association of Christian Counselors, International Association of Biblical Counseling and the Southern Africa Association of Pastoral Work. Dr. Penn is licensed in Illinois and Tennessee as a "No Child Left Behind" Social Science educator and administrator. His endorsements include: Principal and Superintendent Administration, World History. United States History, Geography, Civics and Political Science; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Penn wrote his first book, "My Soul Looks Back and Wonders ... How I Got Over", in 2005. The following year he published a collection of sermons by various Ministers at the Churches of Christ 62^nd Annual National Lectureship entitled "The Power of His Penetrating Presence". His Master's Thesis was called "The Great Depression: It's Socioeconomic, Sociopolitical and Cognitive Impact Upon African Americans in the City of Chicago, Illinois". He has written articles for the Chicago Defender, Chicago Sun Times and Cincinnati Herald newspapers. He also has published articles in the African American Pulpit, Christian Courier, Christian Echo, and Gospel Times; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Penn is .listed in "Who's Who in the Midwest", "Who's Who in Society", American Counseling Association, Social Science Education Consortium, Inc., Black Preaching Network and "Two Thousand Notable Americans"; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this eleventh day of October, 2017, do hereby express our congratulations to Dr. David C. Penn on his 50^th anniversary in the ministry.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Dr. David C. Penn as a token of our esteem, gratitude and respect.